Oscar award-winning actress and founder of the controversial wellness brand Goop, 51-year-old Gwyneth Paltrow is not looking to retire just yet – but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t thought about it. Recently in an interview with Bustle, she spoke about acting and Goop. She told the interviewer that when she does decide to retire, she might just completely step away from the limelight altogether. After an illustrious career like hers, it’s not surprising that she might just want a quiet, cozy life away from the spotlight. This is what she has to say.
Gwyneth Paltrow On Balancing Acting, A Business, and Family Life
Most of us first knew Gwyneth Paltrow through her acting career. It is no surprise that she decided to go into the business: Her mother is famous actress Blythe Danner, and her father is film director Bruce Paltrow. You could say a knack for good filmmaking is in her DNA. That being said, Paltrow made a name for herself apart from her parents, starring in films such as Se7en, Marvel films such as the Iron Man series and Spiderman, and most notably her Oscar-winning role in Shakespeare In Love. (1)
Though a talented actress, Paltrow hasn’t actually been doing too much acting in the last few years. Rather, she has chosen to focus on her well-known, albeit controversial, wellness brand Goop. It takes up most of her time, along with parenting children who are starting college.
“I’m in a phase where I feel like things are just extra, extra messy because I have so much to do. My son and step son are both seniors in high school, and sometimes I feel like the college process is a full-time job in and of itself. So I’m trying to keep the domestic stuff on track, and we have a lot going on at the company… So I’m just f—— up,” she said. (2)
Not Motivated By Fame and Fortune
Paltrow insists that money and fame have never been motivating factors for her. Rather, it’s the creating, collaborating, and artistic process of acting and of owning her own business that she drives her. It is something that she genuinely enjoys. Of course, she is also well aware of her privilege of being able to say that, considering the family she comes from and the successful career that she has had.
“I could never get attracted to the really rich guy… And I don’t make choices to build value in the wrong way. I’ve always done independent films. I don’t know. Money has never been my thing. It’s never been my driver,” she said of money not being a driving force in her life. “Creating, collaborating, being struck with new ideas, innovating, thinking ahead, strategy, vision, that kind of thing.” she described as being her passions.
One Day She Will Disappear
In the interview, Paltrow spoke about the future of Goop, as well as her own. She explained to the interviewer that she wasn’t ready to sell the business and retire just yet. There are still many creative projects and things that she wants to lead on. When the time is right, she also wants to make sure that she sells to the right person. After all, she wants to ensure that Goop stays true to its original intent and core values. She has said, however, that when the day comes that she retires and steps away, that will be it – we won’t see her anymore.
“I’ll probably try, knowing myself. Or I might be like, “F*ck this.” I might just disappear, and no one will ever see me again.” Paltrow said, when asked if she would continue helping to show women how to age gracefully into their 70s and 80s. When asked again about a potential “dramatic exit” when she turns 55 in four years time, Paltrow quipped again: “I will literally disappear from public life. No one will ever see me again.”
Her Thoughts On Children of Famous Parents
Gwyneth Paltrow has certainly made a name for herself over her career. So much so, that many people often forget that the actress, model, and business owner has famous parents herself. Now, she is raising children who are all highschool and college students who are dealing with some of the struggles that come along with having famous parents. Paltrow says she detests the term nepo-baby. She despises the judgment that comes for children of wealthy and/or famous parents.
“Now there’s this whole nepo baby culture, and judgment that exists around kids of famous people,” she explained. “But there’s nothing wrong with doing or wanting to do what your parents do. Nobody rips on a kid who’s like “I want to be a doctor like my dad and granddad.” The truth is if you grow up in a house with a lot of artists and people making art and music, that’s what you know, the same way that if you grow up in a house with law, the discussions around the table are about the nuances of whatever particular law the parents practice. I think it’s kind of an ugly moniker.”
Still A Few Years Left of Gwyn
Though Paltrow has stated that she is looking forward to fading into the background once she finally decides to retire, she has made it clear that she isn’t ready to do that yet. For those who are her fans, this is fantastic news. While she might not be acting so much anymore, you will still see her through her business and modeling career. That being said, if one day you just stop seeing her online and in the media, don’t be surprised. This was her plan all along.
Keep Reading: Gwyneth Paltrow Bans Children from Using Mobile Phones at the Dinner Table